Chula Vista Resort has spent more than $200 million in recent renovations and expansions, but even more is planned.
President Mike Kaminski plans to construct a $40 million, 24-field youth baseball complex that would include a series of cabins to house teams and coaches.
The complex would allow the resort to host weekend baseball and softball tournaments that could bring thousands of players and their families to the Wisconsin Dells area.
"We want to be in the baseball business big time," Kaminski said. But "the banking industry needs to get a little recovered before we can proceed."
The facility would be built in phases over five years and construction could start next year, with the first games played in 2011.
The idea is modeled loosely on the youth baseball tournaments that are played throughout the summer in Cooperstown, N.Y. Teams from around the nation are typically guaranteed eight games over the course of a week and stay in college dormitories with meals included, at a cost of $750 per player. The fields are scattered throughout the Cooperstown area.
Kaminski would focus his tournaments on weekends and at one site.
And while Cooperstown is home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and has Lake Otsego, the Wisconsin Dells offers more down-time activities, he said.
"We think we have the best mouse trap out there when you consider wanting to maximize a hotel facility," Kaminski said.
Posted in News on Saturday, November 21, 2009 12:00 pm Updated: 4:37 pm. Chula Vista Resort
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